Key Issues

Climate Change and the U.S. Congress

Breaking Ground - Why Nuclear Energy?

Two major reports issued in 2009 about the House version of the bill (H.R. 2454) make the case that significant nuclear titles are necessary in order to achieve their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. The Energy Information Agency issued " issued ""Energy Market and Economic Impacts of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009." The Environmental Protection Agency released ." The Environmental Protection Agency released “EPA Analysis of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454),”

In the EPA analysis, nuclear generation increases by 150 percent, from 782 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2005 to 2,081 billion kWh in 2050. If all existing U.S. nuclear power plants retire after 60 years of operation, 187 new nuclear plants must be built by 2050. In the EIA’s analysis, in the “Basic” scenario, the U.S. would need to build 96 gigawatts of new nuclear generation by 2030 (69 new nuclear plants). This would result in nuclear energy supplying 33 percent of U.S. electricity generation, more than any other source of electric power.

These important studies demonstrated the value proposition of nuclear energy. And Congress responded accordingly.

Editorial: Nuclear power poised to help meet demands of climate change legislation
NEI Press Release: New Nuclear Power Plants Will Spur U.S. Economy, Help Achieve Climate Change Goals
Survey: Support Overwhelming for Nuclear Energy to Combat Climate Change
Policy Brief: Nuclear Energy Plays Essential Role in Climate Change Initiatives
Nuclear Energy and The Environment

The First Milestone - The House Passes a Bill

The House passed its version of the climate change bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, on June 26, 2009. The legislation establishes a Clean Energy Deployment Administration and makes a number of improvements to the clean-energy loan guarantee program authorized by the 2005 Energy Policy Act. It includes other provisions promoting greater use of clean-energy technologies, including nuclear energy.

NEI Welcomes Inclusion of Clean-Energy Provisions in Climate Bill OK’d by House

The Senate and the Nuclear Title

Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) introduced the the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1730) September 30, 2009 in the U.S. Senate. Among other findings and provisions, it includes the following: "It is the policy of the United States, given the importance of transitioning to a clean energy, low-carbon economy, to facilitate the continued development and growth of a safe and clean nuclear energy industry, through (1) reductions in financial and technical barriers to construction and operation; and (2) incentives for the development of a well-trained workforce and the growth of safe domestic nuclear-related industries.”

The bill has not yet passed the Senate. However, the effort to bolster its nuclear title brought strong recommendations from both within and without the chamber.

NEI introduced a comprehensive package of policy initiatives required to facilitate the expansion of nuclear energy in coming decades on the scale that independent analyses conclude is required to ensure a reliable supply of electricity generation that complies with stringent limits on greenhouse gas emissions and shares this package with federal lawmakers.

And Senators begin introducing legislation to strengthen the role of nuclear energy going forward. At the annual convertion of the American Nuclear Society, Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) announced complementary bills, one to enhance the business environment for nuclear energy and the second to encourage research and development into smaller (<350 mW capacity) units.

Additionally, Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.) introduced a substantial set of nuclear provisions to the Senate climate change legislation. It authorizes $100 billion in loan guarantee authority for carbon-free electricity sources; $100 million a year for 10 years for education, workforce development and training to ensure a supply of nuclear engineers, operators, and skilled craftsmen; $200 million a year for the next five years for Nuclear Regulatory Commission review of new reactor designs, including Generation IV or small modular reactors; and $750 million a year over 10 years for “Mini-Manhattan Projects” targeting fuel cycle research and development.

While passage of the Senate climate change bill (or any of the associated legislation) by the start of the United Nation Climate Change Conference is unlikely, the directions taken are positive and forward-looking, with a strong nuclear title gaining traction as a strong component.

Climate Change and Nuclear Energy

443 nuclear reactors produce 14% of world electricity.

Nuclear energy generates 45% of global carbon-free electricity.

Climate change mitigation requires a strong role for nuclear energy among low-carbon energy options.

64 new reactors are being built worldwide; more than 450 are proposed to be built.

What Others Are Saying - Climate Change

Energy Shift from Coal to Nuclear
The Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer
November 4, 2009

Gore Should Tout Nuclear Power
The Wisconsin State-Journal
October 9, 2009

Udall, McCain Are Right: U.S. Needs to Go Nuclear
The Denver Post
August 26, 2009

So Where's the Nuclear Power?
The Dallas News
August 7, 2009

Key Issues:

Key Issues

Breaking Ground - Why Nuclear Energy?

The First Milestone - The House Passes a Bill

The Senate and the Nuclear Title

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